ASK QUESTIONS – Contractors are experienced, and don’t expect you to be an expert. Ask questions. It is possible to reduce the number of changes required during construction by asking questions early on. This will help you to understand each step and the process. Here are some questions you might want to ask. Patco Construction record of reliability, trustworthiness and a thorough knowledge of construction has helped make it a success. Patco Commercial Construction has been around for over 35 years. This is an achievement that few general contractors can equal. We offer design-build services that include design, planning preconstruction, engineering and preconstruction, and construction until the final stage of construction. Each job is a different one-of-a-kind challenge with its own demands and obstacles. Patco is a reliable guide to help you with your construction project.
- What is the approval process for my jurisdiction?
- What time can I expect city officials to approve my project?
- What are the additional fees I can expect?
COMMUNICATIONS – It is important to have a good working relationship with your team and to maintain an open dialogue. Communication is easier when you have a point of contact with the construction team. Technology can be used to communicate. A cloud-based construction management software program can be a great option. This will allow you, your field team, project manager, and architect to communicate easily and all in one location.
MEETINGS: Attend all public hearings in the approval stage that include your project, such as the zoning commissions, planning commissions, and city council meetings. A weekly or bi-weekly construction team meeting should be held at the jobsite. If this is not possible, have a regular scheduled conference call. Involve key people such as the owner and construction manager, architect, and subcontractors. This will help keep everyone on the same page, and the project will move forward. It is a great time to ask questions.
SCHEDULING: Before you start construction, set a deadline. This will help your team set a goal for completion. Your contractor should create a schedule for the duration. You will be able to see the steps involved in building or renovating your space. Sometimes, it can take longer to deliver building materials than you expected, especially if the project involves custom-made items. You should be prepared for unexpected delays in scheduling. As needed, have your contractor revise the schedule every month.
PREPAY FOR THE UNKNOWN. Construction usually goes according to plan, but there are always unexpected delays. You might discover that underground utilities or plans aren’t exactly as you expected or that a record isn’t available if you’re renovating a structure. This is most likely to be the case in older buildings. Mother Nature can be as unpredictable as we wish. Extreme cold and hot temperatures, as well as rain and snow, can also have an impact on construction.
PLANNING AHEAD – Allow plenty of time for approval if you have a deadline. Sometimes approvals can take 6-9 months before construction can start. Sometimes, it might take longer to get approvals from the city. They might also require you to make changes to your site that were not planned. It can be costly and time-consuming to get approvals from government municipalities. You might consider hiring a contractor to help you navigate the process, depending on the type of project. If you are planning to renovate or add to your existing building, it is important that you plan accordingly. You can still run your business as usual. Discuss the details of moving or how to deal with noise, dust, and increased traffic. Find the best way to minimize interruptions in your day-today operations during construction. Ask your construction team to meet with employees to answer any questions.
We know that renovating, building from scratch, or adding on to an existing building can be time-consuming and stressful. It is difficult to grasp everything. All of the business owners that we interviewed agreed that communication is crucial to the success and growth of their construction projects. Although price of construction was not on the list of tips we felt it important to recognize that many owners understood the importance of quality. Sometimes, a low bid was not always the best choice for their project.
